KOLKATA BEAT LUCKNOW IN THRILLING SUPER OVER

 

Getty 

Kolkata Knight Riders edged past Lucknow Super Giants in a dramatic Indian Premier League contest that needed a super over to decide the winner.

Chasing KKR's 155-8, Lucknow required seven runs to win from Kartik Tyagi's last ball, which Mohammed Shami launched for six to force a tie and send the match into a super over.

Sunil Narine dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram to restrict hosts Lucknow to just one run batting first in the super over before Rinku Singh, who had emerged as KKR's star on the field with four catches, fittingly hit the winning runs.

Earlier, Mohsin Khan had claimed five wickets as Lucknow took early control after asking KKR to bat first.

The 27-year-old Indian left-arm seamer set the tone early by dismissing Tim Seifert for a three-ball duck in a wicket-maiden and finished with 5-23 to leave Kolkata reeling at 73-6.

But Rinku produced a stunning late surge, smashing four consecutive sixes in the last over to remain unbeaten on 83 from 51 balls and help KKR post 155-8.

Lucknow lost wickets at regular intervals as they struggled to keep pace during the chase but Rishabh Pant's 42 and contributions from Markram and Ayush Badoni set up the dramatic finish.

Kolkata climb to eighth place with five points while Lucknow are bottom with four.

- BBC Sport

RAJASTHAN'S SURYAVANSHI MAKES IPL DEBUT AT 14, STARTS OFF WITH A SIX

The youngest debutant of IPL blasts a six off the first ball he faced

Indian Premier League - IPL - Rajasthan Royals v Lucknow Super Giants - Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, India - April 19, 2025 Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi in action REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was thrust into the Indian Premier League (IPL) spotlight as its youngest debutant on Saturday and the 14-year-old announced himself in spectacular style with a massive six off the first ball he faced.

The Rajasthan Royals left-hander came into the squad for the clash with Lucknow Super Giants in place of captain Sanju Samson and was an impact substitute during their chase of 181, where he started by smashing Shardul Thakur over extra cover.

"My word, what the hell was that?" Australia's Shane Watson said during the broadcast.

"One of the hardest shots in cricket is to gain power over cover off the front shoe ... Power to burn from the 14-year-old. What a way to announce yourself to the world."

Suryavanshi, who idolises West Indian great Brian Lara, hit two more sixes in his 20-ball 34 and was dismissed after forging a 85-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, but his team went on to lose the match by two runs.

"It was important to give him an opportunity. He batted well in the nets, his preparation was good," Rajasthan's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule told reporters.

"Obviously we missed Sanju but it created an opportunity for Vaibhav and he made the most of his it. He batted beautifully.

"He's a great kid with a really good head on his shoulders. He's got a game that's almost 360 degrees. He's courageous and you saw his approach. He's dominating and wants to play his shots. His theory is 'watch the ball, hit the ball'."

Suryavanshi had grabbed headlines in November when he became the youngest player to earn a contract in the lucrative Twenty20 league at the age of 13 after his team outbid Delhi Capitals and signed him for 11 million Indian rupees (about $128,750).

The youngster made his debut in the domestic Ranji Trophy red-ball competition aged 12 last year and has played for India's Under-19 side against Australia, scoring a 58-ball ton.

There were murmurs about his immense talent after he made a triple-century in a local tournament in his home state of Bihar, and fans will hope he can continue to sparkle for his IPL team.

 - Reuters